Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 202 - 143: Nangua’s Might!

Zhu Er noticed their odd behavior, a flicker of annoyance rising in his heart.

It was obvious that these people in front of him were hiding something from him.

Fortunately, the Empress stepped out at just the right moment and spoke: "This current defensive arrangement was set up by the various teachers. However, we did reference Scholar Lu’s deployment when he ambushed and killed those Evil Cultivators."

"So that’s how it is. That man is indeed quite capable."

Zhu Er’s impression of Lu Chang’sheng improved by a few degrees.

If Lu Chang’sheng weren’t so old, and if returning him to the Spirit Realm in advance weren’t so troublesome, perhaps he really could recruit him into his own clan to make use of him.

After all, the Zhu Family governs a sizable region—just the population of cultivators exceeds ten thousand; there are plenty of things they can’t manage alone, so they need some common folk for support.

With the defenses complete, it was like adding a layer of shielding, allowing Zhu Er to finally feel at ease.

According to the defense diagram, the Black Mountain Prefecture Soldiers, as well as soldiers from other prefectures, were stationed around the Shi Mansion. This way, they could make full use of their numerical advantage, organizing them into myriad battle formations and surrounding them with large war engines such as bows, repeating crossbows, and bed crossbows.

To call it a dragon’s lair or a tiger’s den wouldn’t be too much.

Of course, Zhu Er understood that this time was different than when Lu Chang’sheng previously ambushed the Evil Cultivators.

In those two instances, the Evil Cultivators had underestimated Lu Chang’sheng’s abilities and walked right into the trap without a second thought. But with him present now, there was no chance these Evil Cultivators would be so careless.

With cultivators’ methods, avoiding such mortal troop formations was not difficult at all.

However, as long as they made the enemy wary—prevented them from barging straight into the Shi Mansion—that would be enough.

"How goes the research on the Biyun Pill?"

Zhu Er inquired.

"Reporting to you, Immortal, Yan Yun is working around the clock with his team on the research." Huang Feng braced himself and stepped forward.

The project to replicate the Biyun Pill was Yan Yun’s responsibility, but since he needed to focus entirely on the task, the job of reporting progress had fallen to him.

This made him somewhat anxious.

As a Royal Tributor, he fully understood how difficult it is to copy a pill. Even with Zhu Er providing the Pill Formula, that didn’t make things any easier.

The formula only included materials required for the Biyun Pill, but with Yan Yun and the others’ current strength and skills, they absolutely could not create a true Biyun Pill.

So, the only way was to find substitute materials, and after substitution, to attempt refining the pill as best they could.

All of this would take a good deal of time.

Seeing Huang Feng’s tense expression, Zhu Er frowned, then let the matter drop.

After all, they’re only mortals; expecting them to produce the Biyun Pill in such a short time is perhaps a bit much.

Though Zhu Er was displeased, he knew it wasn’t their fault.

As things stood, he would still need to remain here for a while, so there was no need to make things awkward with these people now.

Who knows? If things go well, perhaps all the Great Yuan’s territory will end up under the Zhu Family’s rule.

After the others had departed, Zhu Er called Zhu Qing to him and said mildly, "Pills like these are quite common in the Spirit Realm—most cultivators know how to make a few, especially the newer loose cultivators."

Zhu Qing’s eyes lit up. "Ancestor, do you mean that the gap between the Great Yuan and the Spirit Realm is so vast, there’s no need to linger here?"

Zhu Er allowed himself a hint of a smile.

Zhu Qing’s insight genuinely satisfied him.

It’s not that he wanted to beat around the bush, but wherever there are people, there will be competition. This time sending Zhu Qing back to the clan, in others’ eyes, was bound to look like an act of factional alliance.

If Zhu Qing’s perception wasn’t up to par, he’d have to consider offering greater favors.

Luckily, for now, he remained pleased.

"Exactly so. In matters of cultivation, the earlier the better. At your age, it’s already a little late, but thankfully you’ve reached the Innate Martial Artist realm now. If you were still only in the True Qi Realm, that would be a real problem."

Zhu Qing nodded.

This whole affair with the Biyun Pill’s development had given her a real sense of how prosperous the Spirit Realm truly was. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

So, she had no objections to Zhu Er’s words.

But just then, suddenly, Huang Feng rushed over and knocked on the door.

His tone carried an edge of excitement, his voice deeper than usual—something that had rarely happened these days.

"Immortal, Your Majesty—the Biyun Pill, it’s finished!"

"Oh?"

A flash of surprise crossed Zhu Er’s brow—he hadn’t expected results so soon. He immediately led his people to where the Biyun Pill was being developed.

At that moment, in the Alchemy Institute, a group of alchemists crowded around a table, all eyes locked on a single pill resting there.

The pill was a translucent jade-green, though not quite smooth or flawless—its surface was marred with many tiny uneven spots.

Compared to the genuine True Cyan Cloud Pill on the side, the difference was obvious, even just from appearance alone—it was worlds apart.

Yet after about a quarter hour of careful inspection and analysis, the alchemists’ eyes glowed with excitement and joy. One after another, they turned eagerly towards Yan Yun.

"Who was it that managed to make this pill?"

"Yes, no one seemed to have any leads—who managed to pull it off all at once?"

······

If it had taken several years’ effort, everyone might have vied to claim a share of the credit. But it had only been a few months, and most hadn’t even made headway—naturally, there was little glory to claim.

So, it was only right to single out the person who actually developed the pill.

Seeing this, Lu Chang’sheng couldn’t help but sigh: Compared to those government types, these alchemists could be stubborn, but at least they lacked all those endless schemes and backroom dealings.

He honestly enjoyed working with the alchemists.

"That person is none other than Scholar Lu."

Yan Yun sighed with deep admiration.

"Scholar Lu! What a remarkable talent!"

"I heard that when Scholar Lu was young, he was already known as the Unofficial Champion Scholar. Later, he didn’t bother with the imperial exams but focused purely on Martial Dao. When we heard, we all found it a real shame. Never did we expect that by the time we heard your name again, you’d already become an Innate Martial Artist—appointed to the third rank, no less. We thought being both learned and mighty was his limit, but never did we imagine, just never!"